Level 5 lockdown restrictions have been extended for another five weeks until March 5.

The government also announced the introduction of new measures to tighten cross-border travel, while anyone arriving into Ireland without a negative PCR test will face a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Meanwhile a timeline for the reopening of schools is still unclear. However, a phased system has been proposed, with special consideration to be given to Leaving Cert students and children with special needs.

Daniel McConnell, political editor of the Irish Examiner, Dr Tomás Ryan, Associate Professor in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin, and People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith gave their reactions to the restrictions.